In a court case kicking off today in San Jose, Apple is tackling Samsung over software and hardware patent infringements in an attempt to win over $2.5 billion in damages. But behind all the claims and counter-claims, is this court case really a fight between Apple and Google?

The trial... could help bolster or refute Apple's contention that Google's operating system illegally copies software features of its own devices.

A decision that Samsung's Android-powered hardware infringes Apple's patents could affect the outcomes of other cases, creating problems for the South Korean company and other Google partners around the world.

A loss for Apple, conversely, could sustain the spread of competition that has made Android the No. 1 smartphone operating system.

While we all know that Apple has long-standing beef with Android, the new court case has Google's interest piqued despite its lack of direct involvement. Indeed, the Journal goes as far as suggesting that legal representatives from Google will be dotted around the court room when things kick off later this morning.

Of course, it remains unclear what the outcome of the court case will be but, judging by some of the stories emerging from it already, it sounds like there should be plenty for us to chew over. But perhaps most importantly, let's see what it means for Google along the way. [Wall Street Journal]